Aaron M - Certified Level I CrossFit Trainer, CrossFit Basic Barbell certified, CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting certified, NCCP Level I Olympic Weightlifting- Technical, City of Regina Firefighter, PCP, 1st degree black belt in Goju Karate.
Crystal W - Certified Level I CrossFit Trainer, Diploma in Fitness and Nutrition, SPRA certified, EMT certified, First Aid & CPR, B.Ed - High School Math Teacher, also taught chemistry, science and phys ed.
Jeffrey B - Certified Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, City of Regina Firefighter, PCP
Chris T - Certified Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting certified, CrossFit Gymnastics Certified, Police Officer, B.A. in Sociology, First Aid & CPR.
Angela D - Certified Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, CrossFit Basic Barbell certified, Police Officer, First Aid & CPR.
Franz Z - Certified Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, CrossFit Basic Barbell certified, CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting certified, PCP, St. John's CPR instructor, NFPA 1001 L1 & L2
Leah L - Certified Level 1 CrossFit Trainer, CrossFit Olympic Weightlifting Certified, Degree in English and 2 Admin certificates.
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Robin is a wife and mother of 2 (Braxton 12, Sarah 2). "I have always led a healthy, active lifestyle with interests in running, aerobics and power yoga. After watching Aaron do CrossFit for several years and seeing the results he was getting, I decided to give it a try, 4 months post-natal. My first workout was 'Cindy' and I fell in love with CrossFit instantly. I have a newfound passion for helping other post-natal mothers get back in shape using CrossFit and, with Cheryl's input, came up with the idea of the 'CrossFit Mamas' classes.CrossFit is exciting for me because you see results quickly. All our workouts have scores or times and so you can compare to the last time you did the same workout. The variety is limitless and the results apply to real-life tasks. The motivation and camaraderie of the group workouts are not duplicated anywhere else. I love seeing how CrossFit changes people's lives. For example, when someone tells me they feel stronger after just one week, or reports to me after a family vacation that they had more energy than ever before to take part in physical activities together as a family."
Some favorite quotes:
"If you don't make time for fitness now, you'll have to make time for illness later."
"If you knew you’d be fighting for your life tomorrow, would you change the way you train today?"
"Accumulating injuries are the price we pay for the thrill of not having sat around on our asses."
Aaron is a firefighter for the city of Regina and has been doing CrossFit workouts exclusively since 2004."I like CrossFit, it makes me feel safe at work. After realizing that being overweight and out of shape in Junior High was not what I wanted to be, I started lifting weights and running. Over the years I have tried many, many different types of training styles and methods and while I saw results from each, there always seemed to be something missing. Aesthetic bodybuilding training, endurance training, conditioning for martial arts, bare bones military-style PT among others, the missing component was found when I came across 'Angie' from www.Crossfit.com. This discovery led to other workouts, and as any committed CrossFit-er knows that 'once you drink the Kool-Aid...', CrossFit quickly became the program of choice."
Crystal is a wife and mother of 2 (Mikayla 13, Victoria 2). "My passion for fitness started in high school as an interest in sports medicine. I did a lot of volunteer work as a trainer for various sports teams including the Regina Pat Canadians and the Regina Rams. Strength training seemed a natural fit as a way to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. This evolved into other areas of fitness.
I love to teach fitness classes and have taught step aerobics, body pump, interval training, circuit training and group strength training formats of classes. I would not consider myself a specialist in any one area, but a generalist who tries to deliver a well-rounded workout every time.
Since starting CrossFit in October 2007 my fitness philosophy has changed to include more functional movements incorporating a full range of motion. It is amazing to see the scientific principles of exercise physiology in action with CrossFit. I love CrossFit because it is not trendy, the workouts are based on tried and true functional movements that have stood the test of time. Most of all, I love CrossFit because it is constantly varied, constantly challenging, time efficient, and results oriented. You never get bored with this workout program and are continuously pushing yourself to reach new goals.
My best stick-with-it tip is to think of your workout time as a medical appointment; you will be more likely to keep your appointment and can potentially save yourself many doctor visits in the future."
Jeff is a City of Regina Firefighter and first tried CrossFit in fall '07:"I started dabbling in CrossFit on my own during the Fall of '07 (after a year or two of conventional '10 sets of 3' mumbo jumbo), but it wasn't until January '08 that I really started grasping the concepts of CrossFit and doing the WODs regularly. The difference has been phenomenal. Everyday tasks simply become easier and job-related things for me like climbing stairs in turnout gear while carrying equipment and advancing charged hoselines have also become less difficult. There's also a degree of confidence that comes from being faced with a nasty workout and prevailing. It breeds the attitude, 'If I could do that, I can do anything.' These are some of the reasons I am a CrossFitter for life, and also are a couple reasons why I enjoy helping others with their 'CrossFit Journey'.
Favorite quote: 'This calls for a subtle blend of physiology and extreme violence.' I like to take this approach when faced with a brutal WOD."
Chris is the husband of Kelly and father of two. Chris writes: "I grew up on a farm in the Regina area and began lifting weights in high school. I had some good gains when I started out, but like many others I tired of the normal gym routine. I dabbled in martial arts and spent a summer in the Infantry Reserve. I completed my Sociology degree at the U of R and worked for a couple of companies before finding my place in the Emergency Services where I have been for the past six years.
Favorite Quotes:
"The difference between interest and commitment is this... When you're interested in something, you do it only when circumstances permit. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses, just results."
"Get Fit Or Die Trying!"
Angela is a wife and mother of two, and works in Emergency Services. “I have always been involved in fitness by competing in powerlifting, running in half marathons, regular weight training and competing in multi-event competitions in the Police/Fire Games. All of these endeavors have been achieved separate from one another.
I was introduced to Crossfit by my firefighter father, who bugged me for months to give it a try. I finally gave in and told him I would give it one month, that is it, and started March 25, 2008. Well it has been six months and I haven’t looked back. Crossfit has taken me beyond my own expectations as an athlete. This is the first time in training that I have gained endurance, power and flexibility all at the same time. I have gone from training six days a week, two hours a day to 5 days a week 30 min a day.
I am so passionate about what Crossfit does for people that I became a trainer. I love sharing this gift with people and watching it change their lives. This is the most non intimidating place to work out at. The atmosphere is extremely supportive and generous. We celebrate each others victories and encourage one another through the tough workouts. It is also a real joy to be able to bring my daughters with me and have them develop a positive outlook towards fitness.”
Favorite Quotes:
"Failure is the condiment that gives success its flavor." ~ Truman Capote
“Hey, whose that guy doing all those pull-ups in the gym?”
~ said about me between two men in the men’s locker room
Franz is father to Chloe (4): "I was introduced to Crossfit in the spring of 2007 by a good friend. I enjoyed it but work commitments took over. When I moved to Regina in Fall of 2007 I began to get sick of the way I looked and the way I was feeling. I discovered CFR in a random google search. Back in those days the blog was basically Robin and Aaron talking back and forth between each other and the gym was in the "Dungeon". I did my foundations in December 2007. I started full time at CFR in January 2008. That January I weighed 255lb. 9 months later I now weigh 210lb. I am in the best shape of my life and am still getting stronger!
When I see a new person at CFR I am truly excited. I know how much Crossfit will improve their lives. When they are on the floor after a hard WOD gasping for air and I walk up to them and say 'I know exactly how you are feeling I felt exactly the same way too.' They look at me like I'm crazy. The truth is I remember being beat by numerous women in WODs, I remember being so sore that it hurt to move for days, I remember how hard it was and how frustrated I became at times. With hard work and determination a person gets stronger. I went from not being able to do a pull-up to now being able to do 35 in a row.
The difference between CrosssFit and other programs is that CrossFit is real. It's not just about 'constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensity', it's about the CrossFit community. It's about the people you sweat beside, the people who yell encouragement at you, the people who crawl across the room after a WOD just to give you a high five. That's what makes CrossFit great. Doesn't matter how strong you are, who you are or what you do, at CrossFit, everyone is equal.
Favorite Quote: "If you knew you were going to be fighting for your life tomorrow would you change the way you train today?"
Favorite Workout: FRAN
Leah is a Human Resource Consultant for the Government of Saskatchewan and began her CrossFit journey in April 2008. Leah writes: Before joining CrossFit, I played various sports including soccer and ultimate Frisbee, participated in a half marathon and gave the gym a shot. I was pretty athletic as a teenager, but once I was older it became harder to find an exercise regime that both interested me and that I could stick to. After speaking with a few friends who had joined Crossfit, I decided to join a couple of months before my wedding to 'tone up a bit' for my wedding dress, but was soon hooked.
The results gained from CrossFitting have been reflected in several aspects of my life. I take on challenges with more ease then before, thinking that I should at least try to see if I can do something rather than assuming it will be too difficult. I love sharing stories of the interesting workouts we do or the newest movement I’ve learned.
The top 5 reasons your friends and family know you’re a CrossFitter:
5. Your coworkers often find you stretching in your office;
4. Your website and/or Facebook page contains equal numbers of CrossFit pictures as they do pictures of friends and family;
3. You will often be found sitting at a computer hitting refresh to see the WOD of the day or the blog comments;
2. You always have an unexplainable bruise somewhere or ripped/calloused hands; and
1. You clean the water jug at work to put it into the cooler.
I really look forward to coaching and mentoring others in their CrossFit journeys and contributing to the CrossFit Regina community!
Favorite Quotes:
"A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." – Winston Churchill
"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." – Winston Churchill
